It\u2019s time to raise a glass to Buderim, literally. Over the years I\u2019ve been involved in my fair share of fundraisers, certain of which have demanded some seriously hard yakka requiring lycra, pedals and sweaty feats of athleticism.<\/p>\n
I\u2019m pleased to say that my latest foray into community engagement is more geared towards testing out the taste receptors, and if my heart rate becomes raised it\u2019s likely to be due to pleasure rather than pain.<\/p>\n
After living for almost a decade in the uniquely picturesque and community-minded hamlet of Buderim, I was recently enticed to become an Ambassador for the very worthwhile Buderim Foundation. Since being launched in 2004 this philanthropic not-for-profit outfit has handed over close to $400,000 to 66 community organisations in the area, with not a poker machine in sight. Next year alone the Foundation has big plans to provide $100,000 in community grants, and would you believe this is where the opportunity to drink wine comes in?<\/p>\n
In fact, what got me over the line to become a Buderim Foundation Ambassador was finding out that selling good quality wine was a key part of their fundraising efforts \u2013 with 100 percent of the proceeds going to the Buderim Foundation Community Investment Fund.<\/p>\n
In 2018 the Foundation has lofty goals to take giving to the next level by growing its coffers from $1.4 million to $2 million. To meet the 12-month target, it\u2019s launched the 2018 Community Challenge and is asking everyone – community groups, businesses and individuals \u2013 to consider donating and fundraising.<\/p>\n
Just for a moment, I ask you to delete any visions of slaving in the summer heat at a charity sausage sizzle (although if truth be told you can do that too, every bit helps). Instead, imagine the warm glow you\u2019ll get when you raise a glass of the Barossa\u2019s \u201cRed Gold\u201d to your lips, knowing that with each sip you\u2019re strengthening the social fabric of the local community and supporting the flourishing of local people and the environment.<\/p>\n
Such a groundbreaking organisation deserves to offer a groundbreaking wine, and we\u2019ve found it in the form of the handcrafted David Franz 2012 Eden Valley Shiraz, which has been specially bottled and labelled for the Buderim Foundation. Now, David Franz is a guy who knows how to make a mark on the community. The renowned vigneron and artisan winemaker is the son of industry stalwarts Peter and Margaret Lehmann, so producing sell-out batches of beautiful, rich and soft Barossa Valley Shiraz is in his DNA.<\/p>\n
David\u2019s winemaking philosophy is minimalist; he likes to get the grapes into the bottle with as little manipulation as possible to allow the fruit to shine through. In making the 2012 Eden Valley Shiraz, his gentle, long and \u2018softly softly\u2019 approach has teased out all the flavours from the grapes, which were grown at Eden Valley Road Vineyard by David\u2019s good mate Mick Hearnden. Just over a tonne of the carefully nurtured fruit was night picked, before small batch open fermenting over 22 days. Each ferment was hand plunged three times daily before being basket pressed separately to two second-fill French Oak Hogsheads and allowed to mature sedately over 32 months.<\/p>\n
The result is a wine that celebrates community. Starting with a whack of plum upfront, the nose also gives hints of spice box complexity with subtle earthy mushroom notes. On the palate, juicy stewed plum and dark chocolate characters linger through to an aromatic fine-grained finish, offering terrific cellaring potential as well as being ideal to drink now. It\u2019s a much better wine than its conservative price point would suggest!<\/p>\n
At $30 a bottle, and with a special launch offer of $330 a case, I\u2019m hard pressed to think of an easier and more enjoyable way to harness the power of giving. Even the shopping is made easy! Just click to support your local community at www.buderimfoundation.org.au\/merchandise<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" It\u2019s time to raise a glass to Buderim, literally. Over the years I\u2019ve been involved in my fair share of fundraisers, certain of which have demanded some seriously hard yakka requiring lycra, pedals and sweaty feats of athleticism. I\u2019m pleased to say that my latest foray into community engagement is more geared towards testing out…
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